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SHANGHAI, CHINA — Publicis Media China has been appointed by Nestlé, a global food and beverage leader, as its new media agency in China. The appointment will see Nestlé entrusting Publicis Media China to manage its media requirements, including media planning and buying for social and mobile as well as performance media in China.

Publicis Media China went through a competitive pitch to win Nestlé’s media account, which underscores the strength of Publicis Media’s capabilities, which are anchored on data and technology. In addition, Publicis Media China has also successfully put forth a strategy that reflects its deep understanding of Nestlé’s business in China and presented innovative solutions that widen and deepen its reach to more consumers and drive greater business results.

Publicis Communications has been serving Nestlé for 14 years in China, providing creative services and customer relationship management (CRM). With this latest win for media and eCommerce services, it will be able to provide a holistic and more integrated approach and a more effective marketing strategy to support Nestlé’s ambitions in China.

Nestlé One, an exclusive team dedicated to Nestle China, has been assembled to serve this purpose. There will be more significant synergies and alignment across creative, media, and CRM to achieve Nestlé’s goals. Plans will be underway from August 2024, with pivotal strategies and campaigns poised for launch in the ensuing months.

Publicis Media China will have media responsibilities for Nestle’s entire product portfolio in China, which encompasses diverse categories such as confectionery, milk powder, coffee, snacks, beverages, and more.

Nestlé is a globally renowned food and beverage company committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come. Concurrently, it is placing significant emphasis on a uni-marketing approach, including ecommerce and digital transformation, within the brand’s overarching marketing strategy through multi-channel coverage to achieve all-around brand exposure.

“Nestlé is always seeking new ways to connect with our consumers in the digital age. Publicis Groupe has shown that it is at the forefront of innovative digital strategies with its strong data capabilities and unique tools. We believe this continued partnership will allow us to create more meaningful connections with our customers, and we are excited to see where this partnership will lead us,” said David Zhang, Executive Vice President of Nestlé S.A and CEO of Zone Greater China.

“We are honored to be chosen as Nestlé’s trusted strategic partner. Nestlé places consumers at the center of its brand strategy. It has shown foresight in its innovative marketing approach, which is driven by digital and data, which is where Publicis’ expertise lies. We look forward to partnering with Nestlé to increase its effective investment in intelligent solutions to respond rapidly to Chinese consumers’ needs and supercharge Nestlé’s sustainable growth,” said Jane Lin-Baden, Publicis Groupe’s Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer.

NEW DEHLI, INDIA — Muthoot FinCorp, a leading Non-Banking Financial Services Company (NBFC) in India, has appointed Havas Media Network India to manage its integrated media mandate. Havas Media’s Bengaluru operations, which has been witnessing significant expansion over the years, will drive the media duties of the brand across OOH, digital platforms, television, print, and on-ground activations. 

With a shared vision of excellence and a commitment to making financial inclusion accessible, this partnership promises to resonate deeply with diverse audiences nationwide. Leveraging Havas Media Network India’s strategic insights and creative prowess, Muthoot FinCorp aspires to strengthen its brand presence while amplifying its promise of transforming the lives of the common man through tailored campaigns.

Muthoot FinCorp’s latest campaign “Book My Gold Loan,” featuring the legendary actor Shah Rukh Khan has been jointly crafted and executed by Havas Media India and Havas Worldwide India. This campaign introduces an innovative service where customers can book a Gold Loan instantly, anytime, from anywhere with just a missed call. Harnessing the power of Muthoot FinCorp’s branch network and the convenience of obtaining a Gold Loan From Home, this multilingual and multi-platform campaign ensures the message resonates with diverse audiences, overcoming language and platform barriers. 

“We have partnered with Havas Media Network India due to their strategic expertise and understanding of our vision to revolutionize financial accessibility for all. Our collaboration is expected to propel our commitment to innovate and enhance customer experiences while reinforcing our position as one of the leading players in India’s financial services sector,” said Shaji Varghese, CEO of Muthoot FinCorp Limited.

In addition to the Book My Gold Loan service, Muthoot FinCorp is also intensifying its focus on other significant offerings, aiming to strengthen its diversified bouquet of products in the financial services sector.  

Commenting on the win, Mohit Joshi, CEO of Havas Media Network India, said, “Havas Media Network India’s South operations have been consistently expanding, establishing it as a vibrant hub for partnering with leading brands, and we are now delighted to join hands with Muthoot FinCorp — a prominent brand across India. We understand the critical role of the financial services sector in driving economic resilience and empowerment. Additionally, Muthoot Fincorp’s commitment to integrity and customer-centricity aligns seamlessly with our values designed on the philosophy of meaningful solutions in everything we do. Together, we strive to shape a future where financial empowerment and innovation go hand in hand.”

SINGAPORE — Dentsu Singapore’s award-winning CXM agency, Merkle Singapore, has been reappointed as the exclusive digital marketing agency for Royal Brunei Airlines, following a competitive pitch. As the incumbent for the past decade, Merkle Singapore will now continue the remit for another three years.

Merkle Singapore will bring its expertise across a full suite of digital marketing services across email and customer relationship management (CRM), media, search engine optimization (SEO), app store optimization (ASO), and data and strategy consultation, to support Royal Brunei Airlines in using digital to meet the post-pandemic travel demand and boost its digital revenue.

Sabirin Hj Abdul Hamid, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Brunei Airlines, said, “It is always essential for Royal Brunei Airlines to team up with a partner with whom we can jointly shape the future to serve our digital-savvy guests better and maintain a leading position in the highly competitive market environment in which we operate. We trust that Merkle Singapore will take us to new heights by leveraging the power of digital marketing across several aspects with their advanced digital solutions, coupled with their understanding of our business.”

Susan Shim, Vice President of Digital at Royal Brunei Airlines, commented, “Throughout our long working relationship with the Merkle Singapore team, they have been a consultative partner every step of the way. As we now see the rising demand for travel and greater adoption of technology, it is more imperative than ever to provide seamless and personalized customer experiences.”

Sanchit Mendiratta, Managing Director of CXM at dentsu Singapore and Chief Growth Officer at Merkle Southeast Asia, added, “We’re grateful for the trust and partnership of Royal Brunei Airlines as our longest-standing client. Having helped them to build solid data foundations over the past years, this has paved the way for us now to be able to drive data-driven decision-making to optimize their digital marketing efforts and move towards hyper-personalization. Looking ahead for the next three years, we will strive towards reaching greater targets on digital channels and achieving higher revenue goals for Royal Brunei Airlines.”

Merkle Singapore has been responsible for developing Royal Brunei Airlines’ first integrated email and analytics platforms. Despite global travel halts during the pandemic, Merkle Singapore remained a close consultation partner focusing on future-proofing Royal Brunei Airlines’ go-to-market customer strategy for the post-pandemic travel surge. The agency actively managed the airline’s website and email campaigns and conducted data analysis on airline travel and user journey patterns.

Post-pandemic, Merkle Singapore has been prioritizing a refreshed digital strategy to spur bookings, citing increased regional and global travel demands.

Besides Royal Brunei Airlines, Merkle Singapore has held long-standing client relationships with Grab, Income Insurance, Shopee, Singapore Press Holdings, and Standard Chartered Bank. Merkle Singapore has also been expanding its client services across the Southeast Asia region, with clients such as AIA Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and Jollibee Foods Corporation.

Most recently, Merkle Singapore was awarded Gold for Southeast Asia Data Analytics Agency of the Year at Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Agency of the Year Awards 2023. Merkle Singapore’s specialism in digital marketing was also recognized at Marketing Interactive’s Agency of the Year Awards 2023, where they clinched Overall Agency of the Year, Analytics Agency of the Year (Gold), Consultant of the Year (Gold), CRM & Loyalty Agency of the Year (Gold), Performance Marketing Agency of the Year (Silver), and Search Agency of the Year (Silver), amongst other awards.

BEIJING, CHINA — Jung von Matt China has recently triumphed in a competitive pitch to secure the global co-branding creative business for the legendary car brand smart. As smart’s new global agency, JvM will spearhead a series of innovative co-branding initiatives for both the brand and its products. Its comprehensive services will include scouting and selecting co-branding IPs, brands, and celebrity partnerships, negotiating rights, and devising and implementing co-branding strategies and creative solutions.

During the pitch, JvM China leveraged its extensive experience in the luxury automotive market, both domestically and internationally, to offer a full-package proposal for smart’s global co-branding efforts, encompassing insights, strategy, creative, and integration of global co-branding resources.

Eric Yang, CEO of JvM China, commented, “It’s an honor to partner again with such an iconic brand. Given the rapid changes in the global automotive industry today, there are numerous challenges and opportunities in brand and product communication. We are excited to innovate and create impactful and effective work with smart together.”

Stella Yao, Head of Global Marketing for smart ,added, ” The smart brand has previously enjoyed a successful long-term collaboration with JvM China. In this pitch, JvM China impressed us by integrating their extensive co-branding resources with excellent integrated marketing communication capabilities. We are very much looking forward to our upcoming projects.” The collaboration with JvM China takes immediate effect.

JvM CHINA is part of the JvM Group, founded in Hamburg/Germany, with now over 1100 people with 33 offices in Europe, Asia and the US. JvM CHINA with offices in Beijing and Shanghai offers all modern communication services with additional special services in Sports Marketing with JvM SPORTS and Pop Culture Marketing with JvM NERD.

MUMBAI, INDIA — Dentsu Creative Webchutney has won the digital mandate for Godrej Professional, the professional hair brand from Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL). The account was won following a multi-agency pitch and will be serviced from the agency’s Mumbai office.

As per the mandate, Dentsu Creative Webchutney will lead the digital marketing strategy and execute innovative campaigns for GodrejProfessional. Leveraging data, technology, and advanced marketing expertise, the agency will deliver digital solutions and unforgettable brand engagements. This partnership aims to establish Godrej Professional as the preferred brand choice in salons, driving growth and enhancing consumer loyalty.

Dentsu Creative and Godrej Professionals INSERT1
Aradhita Utterkar

Aradhita Utterkar, Head of Marketing at Godrej Professional, said, “The decision to collaborate with Dentsu Creative Webchutney was driven by their exceptional ability to combine creativity with strategic insight. We are excited about the potential this partnership holds and look forward to creating impactful campaigns that not only enhance our brand but also inspire our audience.”

Nikhil Kumar, Managing Partner for the West at Dentsy Creativ Webchutney added, “This is undoubtedly a special win for all of us. The win further validates our digital-first mindset and our ability to leverage new-age possibilities while contextualizing them to the business opportunities in play. We truly feel humbled by the team’s belief in us and look forward to partnering with them in their journey ahead.”

Dentsu Creative and Godrej Professionals INSERT2
Nikhil Kumar

Dentsu Creative India recently reimagined its creative business to align with the evolving needs of its clients. Dentsu Creative India now encompasses three portfolio brands: Dentsu Creative Webchutney, Dentsu Creative Isobar, and Dentsu Creative PR. 

Dentsu Creative Webchutney delivers creative solutions across both traditional and digital media. Renowned for its cutting-edge work in the creative-digital space, it is one of the most awarded agencies in India and globally.

SAN FRANCISCO, USA – Gourmet, ethically-sourced coffee brand San Francisco Bay Coffee – which is owned by the Rogers Family Company and USA-operated – has tapped Cutwater, with offices in San Francisco and New York City, as their creative and media agency of record after a comprehensive review.

Under this relationship, Cutwater will spearhead communications efforts, such as brand platform development, creative, production, and strategy. The agency will work across San Francisco Bay Coffee’s full product portfolio, ranging from the certified commercially compostable OneCUP pods to the Whole Bean and Ground offerings. Upcoming initiatives will include OLV, social, display, OOH, and more.

The U.S. coffee market is projected to rise from ~$28.06 billion in 2024 to ~$33.64 billion by 2029 with statistics showing that nearly 3 in 4 Americans drink coffee every day.

San Francisco Bay Coffee wants to tell its rich history and expand its national reach by pursuing all-new, integrated marketing endeavors. 

The brand is best known for pouring its heart into every cup. For over 40 years, it has worked to bring the best cup of coffee, all while guaranteeing its farmer partners earn a profit above and beyond the cost of production, not just a so-called fair wage. This ongoing social mission is complemented by a commitment toward investing in sustainable labor and environmentally friendly practices. The OneCup pods, in particular, are made of plant-based materials, encouraging coffee enthusiasts to enjoy a convenient cup of coffee with less plastic.

Cutwater San Francisco Bay Coffee Headshots
Left to Right: Cutwater Founder and CCO Chuck McBride, Cutwater Principal and President Christian Hughes, and San Francisco Bay Coffee Director of Marketing Jennifer Greenberg

“As a West Coaster, I’m proud to see San Francisco Bay Coffee making a stir nationwide,” explained Cutwater Founder and CCO Chuck McBride. “What drew me the most to the brand was their dedication toward growing the largest family of farmers and coffee communities in the world. The insights from our early sessions are promising, and there’s a lot of opportunity for creative fun and social impact.”

The inaugural campaign is slated to launch later this year.

San Francisco Bay Coffee Director of Marketing Jennifer Greenberg added, “We are excited to work with Cutwater to help put the spotlight on San Francisco Bay Coffee. In our search for a partner, their breakthrough, insightful creative really won us over. We believe their history of building small, challenger brands – while keeping true to what makes each brand unique – will help elevate the brand and allow us to reach out to more coffee-loving consumers.” 

The appointment follows Cutwater winning the creative agency of record title for leading global financial technology company MoneyGram International.

According to Cutwater Principal and President Christian Hughes, “San Francisco Bay Coffee elevates everything it touches, from the lives of the farmers to the coffee in our cups. There’s a legacy of not just quality taste but also family values – putting community relationships and the planet first. It’s also really great coffee.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8cM9mIRsbi/?img_index=1

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — Clemenger BBDO has taken the next significant step in its evolution, unveiling Social, PR & Influence practice Chemistry Set, and the recruitment of leading industry talent Rhian Mason to lead it as Head of Cultural Design.

Chemistry Set has been developed to help brands lead and design culture, not simply follow it.

Rhian will build and lead the agency’s content, social, PR, partnership, influence and platform innovation capabilities. She will collaborate with Chief Strategy & Experience Officer Simon Wassef to help brands participate and experiment in culture and connect with audiences in the places and spaces they want to engage.

Rhian joins from Emotive where she spent three years as Head of Social, Talent and Partnerships. The renowned strategic leader has also honed her craft and industry-leading perspective in roles as Head of Social and Content at Mango/DDB and at Mediabrands both in Australia, where she established branded content offerings, and in the UK, where she spent two years as Content Strategy Director.

The launch of Chemistry Set with Rhian at the helm gives Clems a sharper, more integrated and deliberate focus on how brand platforms and ideas come to life in culture with measurable impact, Simon explained.

“Clemenger has made its mark by reframing Australian culture for decades. With Chemistry Set we are giving our clients ways to be more experimental with that process, to not just follow culture but to lead it, to add great ideas to it and see what happens. And that’s why Rhian is here. She’s the best at it.”

Clemenger BBDO CEO Dani Bassil described Chemistry Set and Rhian’s appointment as more key pillars in the agency’s deliberately designed evolution.

“We continue to gather world class talent that is not only exceptional but that are super cool humans. Rhi is next level on so many fronts. Hugely talented, full of energy and kind. She is perfect for us, and I have no doubt the impact on the work, our culture and our clients will be massive,” she said.

Rhian said, “Clemenger is well-known for its ability to create work that taps into the power of culture. But in today’s world, where people’s attention is scarce and audiences are more fragmented than ever, it’s essential to cut through the noise and pay attention to the signals, trends, and behaviors that shape culture. That’s why I’m thrilled to work alongside Simon to lead Cultural Design. I’m looking forward to putting my specialist experience into practice and delivering work to help our clients stay relevant now and in the future.”

Rhian’s hire follows hot on the heels of Global Creative Leader Adrián Flores’ appointment as Clemenger BBDO Chief Creative Officer, another major step in the iconic creative company’s evolution.

MUMBAI, INDIA — Cloud TV, India’s first and only provider of white-labelled, turnkey Smart TV and OTT operations systems, has appointed Mumbai-based firm Pitchfork Partners Strategic Consulting as its new communication partner. With this appointment, Pitchfork Partners will spearhead marketing communications and social media mandates for Cloud TV to build and elevate awareness about the company.

Pitchfork Partners, a consultancy reputed for its strategic brilliance, entails a proven track record of successful collaborations with diverse clients. The firm will draw upon its experience to craft powerful messaging, execute impactful social media campaigns, and manage strategic media relations to further augment Cloud TV’s reputation.

Speaking on the appointment, Abhijeet Rajpurohit, Co-founder & COO of Cloud TV, said, “As a company that is paving the way to make smart TVs affordable and digital content accessible on large screens to the Indian audience, we are excited to welcome Pitchfork Partners as our communications partner. Their experience and capabilities will be crucial to helping us achieve our communication objectives as we navigate the business landscape in India. We look forward to working with them to sharpen the brand narrative and create a distinct identity for the organization.”

Cloud TV is India’s first TV Operating System (OS), developed by Mumbai-based software company CloudWalker Streaming Technologies. As India’s first and only provider, Cloud TV OS brings features typically available in high-end TV brands to the affordable TV segment in India. With over 200 Apps and Live TV channels, Cloud TV has close to 60 lakh users throughout India.

Sharing his views on the appointment, Jaideep Shergill, Co-founder of Pitchfork Partners, said, “Cloud TV is a pioneer for Smart TV OS in the Indian market. Being a homegrown brand, they’ve accomplished significant milestones over the years. We are proud to work with this Make in India brand, and I am confident that our expertise in managing strategic communication for businesses in the technology and entertainment sectors will play a role in helping them achieve their communication goals.”

The collaboration with Pitchfork Partners is set to amplify Cloud TV’s impact, empowering them to reach a larger audience.

Learn more about Pitchfork Partners here.

BENGALURU, INDIA — Narayana One Health, part of the leading Indian healthcare provider Narayana Health Group, has awarded its creative and experiential marketing mandate to DDB Mudra following a multi-agency pitch. The mandate focuses on creating a unique brand identity that reflects the consumers’ evolving demands from the healthcare industry and making service offerings more accessible and easier to understand.

Starting with Bangalore, Narayana One Health plans to build a truly integrated healthcare offering that combines comprehensive healthcare, personalized care plans, and seamless health insurance.  Customers will be able to access care through a wide network of clinics across the country and on state-of-the-art digital tools. Narayana One Health will leverage the latest data science, AI, and ML tools to create bespoke experiences to help its customers get and stay healthy.

The account will be handled by the agency’s Bengaluru office.

Ravi Vishwanath, CEO of Narayana One Health, said, “We are on a mission to make healthcare simple, integrated, personalized and friendly. This strategy is new to India and communicating the benefits of our approach is a critical task. We are delighted to partner with DDB Mudra and look forward to their strategic collaboration on this pathbreaking journey.”

Commenting on the win, Menaka Menon, President and Managing Partner for Growth and Strategy of DDB Mudra, said, “With their focus on bringing primary and secondary healthcare closer to the consumer and addressing the many barriers that come in the way of a proactive approach to health, Narayana One Health is here to make a difference to the way healthcare is organized in India. We’re really excited about partnering with the team and bringing about a change in the way Indians interact with healthcare.”

HONG KONG — DDB Group Hong Kong has won the creative and social media account for Tiger Brokers’ Tiger Trade trading platform business, following a competitive pitch.

Tiger Trade provides knowledge, innovation, and next-generation technology for investors via its real-time trading app, offering low commissions. The mobile app has over 2.2 million account holders globally but is relatively new and emerging in the Hong Kong market.

DDB will be responsible for all 2024 communications, including strategy and creative for branding, production, promotion, and social. The brand’s main challenge is building awareness and acquiring customers in an established market of savvy investors. DDB will be looked upon to assist in building brand presence, expanding reach, and increasing appeal.

Lowe Low, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited, said, “DDB’s unparalleled creativity and strategic brilliance truly distinguished them in the pitch process, and it is with immense excitement that we move forward with them. At Tiger Brokers, we believe in pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities. With DDB by our side, I am confident that we will create ground-breaking campaigns that not only captivate our audience but also redefine the landscape of our industry.”

Koman Ko, Managing Partner at DDB Group Hong Kong, added, “We immediately respected Tiger Brokers’ visionary approach and ambition, as well as their collaborative style of working. We can’t wait to get started and help bring Tiger Trade’s superior investment experiences to more Hong Kong people, helping them reach their full potential as investors.”

The pitch win adds to what is shaping up to be a successful year for the agency so far, having been awarded Hong Kong’s Grand Effie, “Best of Show – Agency” at the MARKies Effectiveness Awards, recognized in multiple global creative and effectiveness awards, and also shortlisted for Campaign’s global Creative Agency of the Year award.

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